And just like that, within a matter of days, the jury has reached a verdict in Apple vs. Samsung. The basic gist is simple: Apple's software patents are valid, and many Samsung devices infringe upon them. Apple's iPhone 3G trade dress is valid, and Samsung's Galaxy S line infringes, but other devices did not. Samsung did not infringe Apple's iPad design patent. Apple did not infringe any of Samsung's patents. Apple is awarded a little over $1 billion in damages. Competition lost today, and developers in the United States should really start to get worried - software patents got validated big time today.

They are not claiming on the entire category. The proof is they don't have and didn't have the same problem with windows phone, touch screen black berries and palm's web OS. They have the problem with the samsung copying their trade dress. Trade dress has nothing to do with technology or freedom of innovation. Trade dress is Casio makes some watch similar to Rolex submariner. In any other trade the winner in court is obvious. OS news is muddying the water by framing this legal battle as a battle of copying technology. It's a war on copying the looks. And looks are important, profitable, and can be stolen.